Midland Humane Coalition? It could happen, activists say

Published 4:03 pm, Tuesday, May 25, 2010

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Working to make Midland a no-kill community by forming a coalition and creating an adoption-only facility for pets would be more than a step in the right direction, citizens and animal welfare group leaders said following the first meeting of the Midland Humane Coalition.

Whether the goals set forth during the meeting Tuesday are achievable -- with more animal rescue groups than can be counted on one hand already working to adopt strays and unwanted pets -- will be the test, some said.

"I think it's wonderful," said Michelle McDermett of Animal Clips Grooming & Doggie Gym. "If we can get the other shelters involved to give up the control factor and join together instead of it just being mine, mine, mine."

Director of Animal Services Paul O'Neill outlined his preliminary vision for a coalition at the meeting that attracted about 70 citizens and animal activists. Without working together, O'Neill said, he doesn't think Midland's adoption or euthanasia rates ever will drastically change.

"I applaud the groups that are trying to do the no kill right now but at the same time a lot of people are bringing animals to us," O'Neill said.

In Fiscal Year 2009, Animal Services euthanized 4,442 animals -- the first time it's been at less than 4,500 since 1995.

Just 18 percent of pets in Animal Services' custody were released live in FY 2009.

"I think we can do more," O'Neill said, adding that percentage is the highest they've seen but still not high enough.

O'Neill proposed citizens, Animal Services, volunteers and existing animal welfare and adoption groups all join together to create a group known as the Midland Humane Coalition.

Ideally, he said, the group would become a nonprofit that would run an adoption-only facility that could sit next to the Animal Services building. O'Neill said they would propose the city pay for the construction of the building and the coalition then provide staff and materials for the inside of the building.

The adoption facility, he said, would take animals from Animal Services and work to find them homes. The various SPCAs and other welfare groups, O'Neill said, then could serve as foster homes and rehabilitative sites for animals that aren't immediately ready for adoption but could be ready at some point.

If the coalition were formed, O'Neill said, he would want the group to apply for a grant through Maddie's Fund, which provides 10-year funding to coalitions like this in order to assist them in achieving no-kill communities.

"What I hope is that all the groups can come together and work together," O'Neill said, adding he wouldn't want any groups to have to lose their identity or donors.

After 10 years, O'Neill said, the goal would be to find homes for every adoptable animal. By having an adoption-only facility, he said, Animal Services then could focus on issuing licenses, reuniting pets and owners and educating the community so the number of strays would eventually decrease.

Director of Midland SPCA Karen Junker said the idea is a good one, but she is concerned about who would decide what pets are adoptable.

"It's adoptable when it comes to me," she said, describing sick animals and aggressive breeds that Animal Services does not adopt out now.

O'Neill said the coalition could progress to the point where all dogs except those that are dangerous or unable to be rehabilitated could be adopted out. He said they likely would start with dogs that are ill and could be treated and then work toward adopting aggressive breeds by partnering with groups that specialize in working with those animals.

Homer and Debbie Ellinger with Pet Solutions said they too think the coalition is something that could work as long as people like them would get to help in determining what's considered adoptable. Debbie Ellinger said the group also would need to be cognizant that it takes months and even years to adopt out some dogs, but that with time there are homes out there for them.